Stress 'associated with Alzheimer's'

People who are stressed could be increasing their chances of developing Alzheimer's disease, research has shown.

Stress was seen to promote neuropathological changes which are also present in Alzheimer's disease, according to a study from the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry in Munich.

The alteration of the tau protein through the addition of phosphate groups causes the protein in the cells to clump, resulting in nerve cell death in the hippocampus - a brain region which plays a key part in learning and memory.

Osborne Almeida, from the institute, explained: "Our findings show that stress hormones and stress can cause changes in the tau protein like those that arise in Alzheimer's disease."

This follows comments from Dr Simon Ridley, head of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, who said that eating healthily could cut the chance of dementia.

He explained that although no research has shown one particular food to unquestionably stave off dementia, heightened cardiovascular risk factors are believed to increase the chance of developing the condition.

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